Fort Lee Museum facts for kids
The Fort Lee Museum is a cool place to learn about history in Fort Lee, New Jersey. It's located on Palisade Avenue, right inside Monument Park. The museum first opened its doors in April 1999. The Fort Lee Historical Society helps run it. The museum has been closed since the 2020-2022 pandemic and is not open yet.
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The Museum Building: A Historic Home
The building where the museum is located has its own history! It's called the Judge Moore House. It was built in 1922. The outside walls are made of special blue stone called bluestone. This stone came from the Hudson Palisades, which are the big cliffs right where Fort Lee sits. In 1989, the building was almost torn down. But people in the community stepped in and saved it! The town then bought the building to protect it.
What You Can See: Museum Exhibitions
The museum has many interesting collections. They tell the long story of Fort Lee and the towns nearby. You can learn about important events like the Battle of Fort Lee. You can also discover how America's first motion picture industry started right here! There are exhibits about the famous George Washington Bridge and the fun Palisades Amusement Park.
Monument Park: A Place of History
Monument Park is a very special place. The Daughters of the American Revolution built it. It was officially opened in 1908. A famous general named John "Black Jack" Pershing was there for the ceremony.
This park was once part of Fort Constitution. This was a fort for the Continental Army during the American Revolution. General George Washington led these soldiers. More than 2,600 troops were stationed in and around this park area.
In 2004, the park was rebuilt for Fort Lee's 100th birthday celebration. A time capsule was buried at the base of the monument. It will be opened in the year 2104, for the town's 200th birthday! Monument Park is one of only two parks in the United States dedicated to the soldiers of the American Revolution. The other is Continental Army Plaza in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Shakespeare in the Park
The Hudson Shakespeare Company puts on a Shakespeare festival next to the museum. They have been doing this since 2007. They work with the Fort Lee Film Commission to bring these plays to life.
See also
- Fort Lee Historic Park
- Barrymore Film Center
